Know your farmer…

It took a while for me to reach my path to farming. There were lots of roadblocks, detours and misread signs.

I grew up near Waukesha, Wis., but spent lots of time on my family’s land in the Northwoods. In high school, kids called me a “tree hugger” because I always argued with them about climate change and politics. There was plenty of farmland around, but it was always in my peripheral vision – I wasn’t paying any attention to the soybean and corn crops growing around me.

I left for college in Chicago and almost instantly regretted it. While I met some lifelong friends and learned a lot in school, the city was not for me. I hurried through to graduation and fled back home with a journalism degree.  

For the next few years, I spent time as a reporter and editor at small newspapers in the area surrounding Madison. When Tyler, my now-husband, and I moved into our first house about 45 minutes north of Madison, I found out about a nearby organic vegetable farm that was looking for help.

By the time I got through the first few shifts of being a workshare (trading a few hours of work per week for a CSA share), I was hooked. Suddenly, dreams of farming came to me consistently. I enrolled in an agriculture program at a technical college. I’d sit at my desk at the newspaper and envision how I could make the leap.

It wasn’t long after that I quit my journalism career to pursue farming full-time. I began working as a general crew member on a different organic vegetable farm, one with around 12 acres in production, selling at four farmers markets and also providing enough food for a 100+ member CSA. That was where I met two of the most important mentors I’ve ever had as well as several hard-working, genuine women who impacted me greatly.

I could write a whole book about all the things that group taught me over the next few years and I’ll always be grateful to each of them. Eventually, I became the farm’s crew lead and managed 2-6 employees, depending on the time of year. People came and went as they often do on farms; I continued to work there before dreams of my own farm led me to take another leap.

Last spring, Tyler and I moved to our farm in Dorchester. When we talked about moving somewhere else, this general area always came to mind. It’s closer to the Northwoods, where my parents reside now, still accessible for other family and friends to visit and has plenty to offer a couple like us who prefer quiet, beautiful areas rather than city living. And luckily, Tyler can pretty much be anywhere for his job as a heavy equipment mechanic.

With seven acres (around four are tillable right now), this property seemed to be a good size for me to start with. Currently, I plan on using around two acres during my inaugural season for veggie production. Another section of the field will be in cover crop and I’ve mapped out a half-acre border around the field that will be a permanent pollinator habitat, with native plants and flowers to attract insects and other helpful creatures.

I have a lot of big ideas and dreams swirling around this farm. I’m grateful for the opportunity to steward a piece of land and get fresh, local food to as many people as I can. Thank you for being here with me on this journey.